In a victim impact statement, the clerk said the experience was very traumatic for her. In the first few weeks after the robbery, she described feeling tense and hyper. If a customer was wearing a hoodie over their head, she would become alarmed and panicky. She continues to experience panic attacks in certain situations.

“I am bothered and become tense and anxious if a customer tries to come around my counter and blocks my exit,” she said.

Donegan outlined Neigum’s rough upbringing, involving being physically abused by his father. Neigum dropped out of high school after completing grade 10 and by the age of 19 was already racking up a long criminal record. By the time he robbed the Enderby Liquor Store, he’d already been convicted on 11 break and enters, seven thefts, five possession of stolen property offenses, three assaults, possession of a prohibited weapon and a number of breach-related charges.

“Those are some of the highlights of Mr. Neigum's unenviable record,” Donegan said.

Neigum’s drug addiction began in earnest when he was 25. Despite his criminal forays, Neigum earned a reputation as a skilled and sought after carpet layer whose employer in Kelowna sent a driver to bring him back and forth from Enderby. Neigum intends to get help in prison and beat his addiction.

Donegan said the offense carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but chose to hand him a three-year jail term.

“When I consider Mr. Neigum's moral blameworthiness, I consider it to be on the higher end. This was a very serious offense committed solely by Mr. Neigum, but that is tempered somewhat by its motivation. He was motivated by his addiction and not for financial gain or otherwise,” Donegan said.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

OPINION At least part of me wasn’t sure I should write this, given what happened last time. It was August 15, 2003 and like many Thursdays before it, I was scratching around for a column idea. The summer newsroom